DEFRA
The revised Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs was published in 2017. The Code is based on the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and outlines the five welfare needs for a dog and an owner’s responsibility to fulfil those needs. These include: (a) need for a suitable environment (b) need for a suitable diet (c) any need a dog has to be to be kept with or apart from other animals (d) need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour (e) need to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease. The appropriate agents, such as local authorities, the police, or RSPCA may prosecute a person who does not provide these basic welfare needs for a dog.
